Saturday, June 1, 2019

Apple : Joshua vs Ruiz Jr live stream: how to watch tonight's big fight from anywhere

Apple : Joshua vs Ruiz Jr live stream: how to watch tonight's big fight from anywhere


Joshua vs Ruiz Jr live stream: how to watch tonight's big fight from anywhere

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 03:50 PM PDT

Fight night has arrived, and the unified heavyweight champion of the world is at Madison Square Garden. The UK's Anthony Joshua is putting his belts on the line against Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr in New York City tonight. And you're in the right place to see all the boxing with a Joshua vs Ruiz Jr live stream - no matter where in the world you are.

The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Joshua, will be stepping into the ring for the first time since September last year. They say that it's the boxing fight Anthony Joshua can't win either way. Beating Andy Ruiz Jr too early, and it looks like a no-contest. Go all the way and AJ looks weak. Lose and...well, that's just unthinkable. But this is in no way an insignificant fight, with Joshua making his US debut - and at Madison Square Garden, no less. His IBF, WBA Super, WBO and IBO world heavyweight titles are on the line 

He was due to fight Jarrell Miller but that fight fell through after Miller failed the drugs tests. That's how Ruiz Jr now has the chance to step up in class to take on the champion. But it's thought this fight will be in the hands of the champ as a setup to a fight between him and Deontay Wilder. He'll have to take care of business at Madison Square Garden on Saturday first, though.

Joshua has so far had 22 fights which he won every one of with 21 KOs. But Ruiz has had 33 fights, won 32 and also got 21 KOs. So, on paper, Ruiz Jr could be a real threat. You won't want to miss it - read on to see how to get that Joshua vs Ruiz Jr live stream.

How to watch the Joshua vs Ruiz Jr fight from outside your country

If you want to watch the boxing outside of your country you may find that the content is geo-restricted. That could mean that, despite having access when on home turf, you are blocked while away. Fret not, that can be rectified with the use of a clever piece of software called a VPN - better that than hunting for some dodgy, illegal stream on Reddit.

How to watch the AJ fight in the UK

How to live stream Joshua vs Ruiz Jr in the US

How to watch Joshua vs Ruiz Jr in Canada for FREE

How to live stream Joshua vs Ruiz Jr: Australia stream

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Best Linux distro for developers in 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 01:37 PM PDT

One of the more recent directions of Linux appears to have been to simplify the user experience, in order to make it more familiar and friendly to Windows users. After all, enticing users from Windows to the joys of Linux can hardly be a bad thing, right?

And yet to achieve that means some degree of compromise to the Linux environment itself. 

Originally a haven for coders, flavors that aim to simplify Linux for users can result in problems for more experienced users. Too many programs and software addons can result in interference and bugs being introduced when trying to code your own programming. 

This can especially be a problem for developers who need as much of an uncluttered work space as possible - or at the very least, as little interference as possible from other applications.

So while making Linux attractive for a wider user base has its uses, it also has its limitations. This is one reason why some distros look to ensure the experience can be either simplified or more customized. This means only the most necessary software boots up, or can be selected to do so, leaving plenty of room and resources for user programming, 

We'll therefore take a look at some of the more flexible flavors that allow a greater feature range than just appealing to the newer user, and so allow for a much more personalized experience.

Here then are the best Linux distros for developers.

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Image credit: Arch Linux

1. Arch Linux

Arch Linux offers a powerful level of customisation during setup, allowing you to download and install only the packages you need. While this is definitely not for newbies to coding, the fact you can install only a minimal number of programs on your machine using the Arch Build System and Arch User Repository, reduces the possibility of anything interfering with your coding.

This means, for instance, that you can install a barebones window manager like i3 to be certain your system will respond quickly when using your chosen text editor. If you run into difficulty, the Arch Linux Wiki offers a helpful installation guide.

Image credit: Debian

2. Debian

Debian is one of the oldest Linux distros and is built with stability in mind. All programs included with Debian have to meet the Debian Free Software Guidelines. Packages are carefully selected and tested for inclusion in the 'Stable' branch of Debian meaning that while some may be dated, there's very little chance of system instability, making this OS ideal for programmers.

The Debian website has extensive manuals, including a chapter on programming talking you through the basics of creating a script, compiling it, and using Autoconf to allow your scripts to be compiled on other Linux distros.

Image credit: Raspbian

3. Raspbian

Raspbian is the default operating system which is included with the Raspberry Pi. As the Pi was designed as an educational tool, Raspbian is the perfect OS for those interested in getting started with coding.

The Raspberry Pi website hosts some impressive guides on using the visual programming tool Scratch, which is used to create animations and games. There's also an excellent section on getting started with Python, which is supported out of the box.

Younger coders might prefer to learn to use the programming language for Minecraft Pi, a mini-version of the highly popular sandbox game.

Image credit: Gentoo

4. Gentoo

Named after the fast-swimming penguin, Gentoo is sometimes called a 'meta' distribution as users download and compile its source code manually according to their needs. This not only makes it a perfect match for the hardware requirements of your machine, but it allows you to decide exactly which versions of packages can be installed.

Gentoo suffered a minor setback a few years ago when its comprehensive Wiki went offline. Fortunately, it has since been restored and now includes the official Gentoo handbook. There's also a small diehard Gentoo following on Reddit if you need further help.

Image credit: Ubuntu

5. Ubuntu

Unlike barebones distros like Arch Linux and Gentoo, Ubuntu is designed to be ideal for beginners, complete with a desktop interface and automatic updates. 

Ubuntu is the chosen distro of the Android Open Source Project for building source files. The Android build is regularly tested using the most recent versions of Ubuntu. 

You can also install other development environments using Ubuntu Make.  

Ubuntu now supports the 'snaps' application packaging format, using the Snapcraft tool, which allows you to write apps in the programming language of your choice and package them with all the required dependencies. Visit the Ubuntu Developer portal here.

Image credit: Fedora

6. Fedora

Fedora is a community supported derivative of the commercial distribution Red Hat Linux. It also enjoys the distinction of being the distro of choice of Linux kernel creator Linus Torvalds.

Aside from being very easy to set up and install, Fedora has a dedicated Developer Portal. Simply click 'Start a Project' to see dedicated guides on developing web, command line, desktop and mobile apps. There's also an excellent section on working with hardware devices such as Arduino. 

If this wasn’t enough, the Fedora repositories also include Eclipse, a fully featured and multi-language IDE. Eclipse is probably best known for Java, but also has a C/C++ and PHP IDE. You can expand its functionality even further with plugins. 

Image credit: OpenSUSE

7. OpenSUSE

OpenSUSE (formerly SUSE Linux) is a distribution specifically designed for software developers and system administrators. Installation and system configuration is a breeze with the integrated YaST tool. This allows you to install all the '-devel' packages needed by developers with one click.

OpenSUSE comes preinstalled with all the basic tools a software developer needs, such as the Vim and Emacs text editors, build automation tools such as CMake and packaging tools like RPM. The operating system also comes with OBS (Open Build Service), a tool for developers to build software for various distros and platforms.

Image credit: CentOS

8. CentOS

Like Fedora, CentOS is a free, community-based variant of Red Hat (a commercial version of Linux). Many of the packages are the same and theoretically it's possible to build a version of CentOS which is functionally identical to Red Hat itself, although this is difficult to achieve in practice. 

This results in a highly stable system. The CentOS repository also contains the Developer Toolset, which boasts a range of essential programming tools

For developers, the Xen virtualisation platform offers a way to compartmentalise your projects and run applications safely inside a virtual machine. 

You can find instructions on how to do this and other developer tips in the excellent CentOS Wiki.

Image credit: Solus

9. Solus

Solus is special in that it's one of the few Irish Linux distros, and also because it follows a curated rolling release model. The advantage of this is that once you've installed the OS, you can keep running updates rather than a major upgrade. Solus, however, tries to avoid installing extremely recent packages and beta software to maintain system stability.

Solus supports several editors and IDEs such as Atom, Idea and Gnome Builder, as well as the Git GUI, GitKraken. The Solus project website also claims that the OS supports a number of programming languages such as Go, Rust, PHP, Node.js and Ruby.

Image credit: Puppy Linux

10. Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is an extremely lightweight distro based on either Ubuntu or Slackware. The entire OS is only around 330MB in size, meaning it can be run entirely in RAM as well as installed to an ordinary hard disk. It comes with a minimal number of packages, although you can add more, such as devx which contains various development tools.

The Puppy Linux 'Wikka' details the programming languages supported by the OS. One notable language is BaCon, which can convert code written in BASIC to C.

The Wikka also has an extensive selection of tutorials on writing Bash scripts and getting started with Python.

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Cricket World Cup 2019 live stream: how to watch every game online from anywhere

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 12:46 PM PDT

The sound of leather on willow. The smell of the freshly mown grass. The teas! The 2019 Cricket World Cup has arrived, and with it (hopefully) a great British summer. 10 of the world's elite cricket-playing countries are competing title of best ODI team on Earth. Expect big hitting, athletic fielding and only one victorious team left standing by the end on July 14 - you've come to the right place to find out how to live stream every last ball of the Cricket World Cup regardless of where you live.

So what should we expect from the 12th incarnation of Cricket World Cup? Well the hosts England enter the tournament as favourites (according to Betfair at least). Not only have they proved over the years that they should be feared in the unique British conditions, but Eoin Morgan's men come in on fantastic form, too. Their batsmen in particular have set new standards, with Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root all hitting form at the right time.

India have the world's two top ICC ODI ranked batsmen (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) and the number one bowler (Jasprit Bumrah) and will naturally be a feared force. But perhaps most attention will be on reigning champions Australia, as they welcome back suspended duo Steve Smith and David Warner.

With the likes of South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies also involved and hungry to win the competition, it should be a fantastically exciting few weeks of daily cricket action. If you want to know where you'll be able to watch every single match, we'll tell you exactly where you can catch them online with a Cricket World Cup live stream.

How to watch the 2019 Cricket World Cup from outside your country

You don't have to miss a single minute of Cricket World Cup - even if you're abroad and discover that your home broadcaster's online coverage is geo-blocked (we hate it when that happens).

If that happens to you and you're desperate to watch that domestic coverage, there's still a way to get it that doesn't involve putting your security at risk with some dodgy, illegal stream from Reddit. You can simply use a VPN to login back to your country that is broadcasting the actions, and it's really easy to do:

Upcoming Cricket World Cup fixtures

Sunday 2 June

South Africa vs Bangladesh - The Oval, London, 10.30am BST

Monday 3 June

England vs Pakistan - Trent Bridge, Nottingham 10.30am BST

Tuesday 4 June

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka - Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, 10.30am BST

How to stream the Cricket World Cup live in the UK 

How to live stream the Cricket World Cup final in Australia (for FREE)

How to watch the Cricket World Cup 2019: New Zealand live stream 

How to stream 2019 Cricket World Cup online in India

How to watch the Cricket World Cup: US live stream 

What is the format of the 2019 Cricket World Cup?

The Cricket World Cup is a ten-team tournament. Each country plays each other in a round-robin format, after which the top four teams qualify for the semi-finals. The two winning semi-finalists then get to face off in the final on Sunday, July 14.

How long do Cricket World Cup matches usually last?

Most 2019 Cricket World Cup matches will start at 10.30am BST and end early evening – around 6.30pm BST. A number of day/night games will start at 1.30pm BST and finish under floodlights at around 9pm BST.

Cricket World Cup matches broadly follow the rules of One Day Internationals, with each side facing 50 overs within a 210-minute time limit. Add in drinks breaks for each side and a 30 to 40 minutes innings break and matches can run up to nine hours in length. Some matches are much shorter however - England’s capitulation to New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup saw play wrapped up within four-and-a-half hours, with the Kiwis reaching their 123-run target in just 12 overs.

What teams are competing in this year's Cricket World Cup?

Afghanistan
Having made their maiden World Cup appearance in 2015, Afghanistan aren't likely to be on anybody's list of pre-match favourites.

Australia
The five-time winners suffered a blow with injury ruling out fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, but are boosted by the return of key batsman David Warner after serving a ban for ball tampering.

Bangladesh
With outside odds of 80/1 to win the trophy, Bangladesh will be hoping talismanic batsman Tamim Iqbal continues his excellent ODI record which has seen him clock up over 5,000 runs.

England
The hosts are clear favourites going in to the tournament. Captained by Eoin Morgan, since the last World Cup England have beaten every country competing in the tournament in a one-day series with the exception of Afghanistan.

India
Their recent home ODI defeat to Australia doesn’t bode well, but India will be hoping to repeat their 1983 triumph which saw them win the World Cup on English soil.

New Zealand
Having been sensational throughout the tournament, the Kiwis reached their first ever Cricket World Cup final in 2015, only to fall short at the final hurdle against Australia. A strong top order of Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and Tom Latham should see them in contention again this time.

Pakistan
Having played a recent test series in England, Pakistan come into the tournament well prepared. Tipped by many to at least reach the semis, the tournament’s most unpredictable side stand a good wildcard chance of glory.

South Africa
The Proteas come into the World Cup in fine form having won nine of their last 11 ODI series, however injuries in the run up to key stars like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Dale Steyn will raise concerns about their chances.

Sri Lanka
A run of just one win in the last 11 games suggest the 1996 winners will struggle in 2019. Much will depend on what form former captain and key batsman Angelo Mathews will be in if they are to get out of their current rut.

West Indies
Like Sri Lanka, the ODI form of the West Indies in recent times has fallen off a cliff. However, the emergence of Shimron Hetmyer and powerful batsman Shai Hope mean there’s some sense of optimism for a decent showing at the World Cup. 

What grounds are being used for the Cricket World Cup?

The Oval, London
Established in 1845, the home of Surrey County Cricket Club played host to the first-ever Test match on English soil between England and Australia in 1880. 

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Home of Nottinghamshire CCC, the 17,500-capacity ground will host five World Cup matches, including England vs Pakistan.

Bristol County Ground, Bristol
Built in 1889, and subsequently bought by WG Grace, the ground has been home to Gloucestershire CCC ever since.

Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
The 17,000-capacity ground will host ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures for the first time in 2019, with five matches taking place at the venue.  

The County Ground, Taunton
Three World Cup fixtures will be held at the County Ground Taunton, home of Somerset County Cricket Club.

Old Trafford, Manchester
Lancashire County Cricket Club’s ground has the honour of hosting the most 2019 Cricket World Cup matches with six games set to be played there, including one of the semi-finals.

Edgbaston, Birmingham
Warwickshire CCC’s ground was the scene of the 1999 semi-final showdown between Australia and South Africa - arguably the greatest Cricket World Cup game of all time.

Headingley, Leeds
Adjoined by Headingley Rugby Stadium, the complex is home to Leeds Rhinos rugby league and Yorkshire Carnegie rugby union clubs as well Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The cricket ground has hosted Test matches since 1899 and has a capacity of 18,350.

Lord's, London
Widely referred to as the Home of Cricket, the iconic north London ground will host the 2019 Cricket World Cup Final.

The Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
English cricket’s most northerly ground is also one of its most picturesque. Home to Durham CCC, the stadium is overlooked by the 14th-century Lumley Castle.

Cardiff Wales Stadium
The single ground in this year’s World Cup that is based outside of England, Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s stadium will host four fixtures during the tournament.

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The best Amazon Fire TV Stick prices and deals in June 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 11:55 AM PDT

Ready to turn your TV into a smart TV or add those apps you can't get on your existing set? Then check out our roundup of the cheapest Amazon fire TV prices and deals. You may be surprised by how little these exceptional gadgets cost.

We've got you covered for the cheapest entry-level Amazon Fire TV Stick, but if you can spend a little more we'd recommend going with the Fire TV Stick 4K upgrade instead for better sound and visual options.

Amazon has been busy creating even more devices too such as the Fire TV Cube which acts like a combination of an Echo speaker and Fire TV device. We'll tell you more about that later - it's only available in the Us though sadly. Another US-exclusive is the Fire TV Recast which allows you to record free over-the-air content - one for all you cord-cutters out there.

The main advantage we've seen with the Amazon Fire TV devices over competitors like Roku and Now TV, is now-standard inclusion of Amazon's Alexa smart assistant thanks to the voice-remote that comes with every Fire TV device. The large number of available apps and games just can't be matched by competitors either. So if you're wanting the smartest of smart TV experiences an Amazon Fire TV Stick is the way to go. If nothing takes your fancy today, we're bound to see amazon fire TV devices get involved with the Amazon Prime Day deals soon.

cheapest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K prices

If you want the most advanced and future-proof streaming device Amazon make without spending a lot of money, the new 4K Fire TV Stick is the one for you. The new streaming media stick packs a wealth of features into a thumb-drive sized stick. For not much more than the older HD-only Fire TV Stick, you get 4K capability, HDR, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, a 1.7GHz quad-core processor, and Dolby Atmos Audio—something very few streaming sticks have. Plus, you also get Alexa, Amazon's smart assistant, and its voice control capabilities. This version is much better than the old hanging dongle Amazon used to make for 4K streaming, and it's even cheaper.

amazon fire tv stick prices

Looking for a smart tv experience without another black box on your shelf? Check out the Amazon Fire TV Stick. It offers all of the same content that you'd find on the older full-sized boxes, but in a mini, USB stick-esque form factor. You'll love how quick and snappy the Fire TV Stick's interface is, and that it’s intuitively laid out, making most content quick and easy to find. The new voice search functionality is quick and accurate when searching for Amazon or Netflix content, and it’s also a speedy way of hopping between apps. Most major streaming services are supported.

fire tv cube deals prices

Only available in the US. Amazon's Fire TV Cube is a hybrid between a smart speaker and a streaming media player. Calling itself the “first hands-free streaming media player with Alexa”. Amazon seems to be betting on this combined functionality to sway consumers away from rival Chromecast or Apple TV devices.  

Like the Amazon Echo speakers, customers are able to navigate Fire TV and play/pause/fast-forward content without the need for a remote, while still using Alexa for all their weather/shopping/trivia concerns. Don't worry, you get an actual remote control too.

The Cube comes with its own Ethernet port, 16GB of storage and a built-in speaker. Users are also be able to control other compatible smart home devices, including additional speakers, soundbars, thermostats, and security cameras.

cheap fire tv recast price deals

Only available in the US. Amazon has released its own DVR (Digital Video Recorder) to record free over-the-air content and watch it via an Amazon Fire TV device or Echo Show (so you'll need one of those too). There are no subscription fees here, so it's a tempting option for all you cord cutters out there and with a 500GB capacity on the cheapest model, you're looking at around 75 hours of storage, so there's no need to pick up an external drive to save content, which is an issue with some DVRs. There's a larger 1TB capacity version if you want to double down. Hook it up to a HD antenna and you'll be able to watch and record content from the likes of ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, and The CW. Better yet, just ask Alexa to do it for you if you've got a modern Fire TV device with a voice-remote.

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The best cheap Amazon Echo prices, deals and sales in June 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 11:54 AM PDT

The Alexa voice assistant has become synonymous with voice-controlled smart speakers around the world in just a few short years. If you want to find out why, then take a look at our roundup of the best Amazon Echo prices. 

If there are any Amazon Echo sales or deal promos from your favorite retailers we'll find them for you and post the latest information on this page thanks to our price comparison technology.

There are lots of different Echo speakers and screens out in the wild now, with Amazon recently refreshing its entire lineup with improved versions. The diminutive Amazon Echo Dot deals are a popular choice all year round as it's one of the most affordable smart speakers on the planet. We've got prices for the larger versions too including the Amazon Echo, Echo Plus and the new Echo Sub (a subwoofer accessory). If you want a visual element too, then we've got you covered with both the Amazon Echo Show or the bedside table -friendly Echo Spot, both of which include a screen.

Although Amazon designed and built these smart devices, they're actually on sale at a large number of stores, which means they're never far away from a discount. We'll also list the standard price of each of these Amazon Alexa-powered speakers  so you can get a better idea of how good the latest discounts in the comparison charts are. If prices are clinging to the standard, just wait a while as cheaper Amazon Echo prices are always around the corner, especially as we get closer to those Amazon Prime Day deals in the summer.

cheap Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen prices deals

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) launch price: $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.
The new 3rd iteration of the Echo Dot is out now. It comes in three colors, charcoal, heather grey, and sandstone (that'll be black, grey or white to the rest of us). The hockey-puck-shaped speaker has a more refined look with a fabric finish this year. However, the speaker driver is much larger, going from a 1.1-inches in diameter to 1.6-inches It's 70% louder than the previous version and keeps the aux 3.5mm connection for a physical speaker output. You can also connect it wirelessly to external speakers via Bluetooth.

Amazon Echo (2nd gen) launch price: $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$119.
The Amazon Echo is the firm middle ground of the Alexa family with a more powerful speaker than the Echo Dot. This second generation version is a bit shorter but houses an upgraded speaker powered by some neat Dolby processing. 

This is the 'just right' option in the Echo lineup. It's not as budget as the Amazon Echo Dot nor is it as premium as the Amazon Echo Plus. It's the one to go for if you're going to use the smart speaker a lot to play music but want to keep prices down. If you just want a smart speaker to boss around and make your home smarter, you might as well save a bit of cash by getting the Echo Dot instead.

Amazon Echo Show (2nd gen) launch price: $229.99 / £219.99 / AU$349.
Amazon released a 2018 update for the Amazon Echo Show, the Alexa smart speaker with a touchscreen. As things stand, it's a bit more expensive than the previous gen version and a lot more expensive than the rival Google Home Hub prices. This version of the the Echo Show has now phased out the older model.

The updated Amazon Echo Show has a bigger screen, with louder speakers too, making it a much better fit for video content to be enjoyed via your Amazon Prime membership or for free on other channels. You can now also use it as a smart device hub for other devices like smart thermostats or bulbs, meaning you can save some space around your router's ports. The competition for screen-sporting smart smart speakers is heating up though, with the Google Home Hub also competing for your attention.

amazon echo plus prices deals

Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen) launch price: $149.99 / £139.99 / $229.
Amazon revamped the Echo Plus smart speaker in late 2018. It now shares a similar look to the other Echo speakers, with fabric covering the body instead of a harsh plastic, which has improved the speaker's audio output too which we appreciated during video calls. You're getting a bigger sound with the Plus compared to the standard Echo speaker, but not a huge difference in all honest.

The main advantage to the Amazon Echo Plus compared to the two smaller Echo speakers is the fact that there's a Zigbee smart home hub built in. So if you have Philips Hue bulbs at home, you no longer need the Hue Bridge to work as the brain to control them via apps or Alexa voice-controls. This is great for controlling smart speakers and smart thermostats too - there's even a built-in thermometer for measuring room temperatures. The list of smart devices around our homes is growing constantly and the Echo Plus is ready for the future. If you've started to build up an annoying cluster of cables going into your router to support your smart home devices, this could help clear them right up.

amazon echo spot

Amazon Echo Spot launch price: $129 / £119.99 / AU$179.  
The Amazon Echo Spot is a miniature version of the Amazon Echo Show better suited to a desk or bedside table. The small screen is designed to show you little pieces of information rather than watch episodes of The Grand Tour or Mr Robot. But that might be more than enough if you just want to quickly check directions or read a news bulletin. It's very handy for video calls between other Amazon Echo screen devices too. Check out today's best Echo Spot prices below. 

amazon echo sub prices deals sales

Amazon Echo Sub launch price: $129.99 / £119.99  / AU$199.
If you're going all in on the Amazon Alexa audio setup at home, then you'll want to take a look at the latest Amazon Echo Sub prices. The Echo Sub is not a smart speaker though, it's a subwoofer to connect to your other Echo speakers, so you'll need to pick up one of those (you're already on the right page for them!) if you don't have any yet. Or, check out some of the bundles available as Amazon has started selling the Echo Sub with a pair of regular Echo speakers in some regions to give you a full stereo sound setup at home. If you'd prefer to just have one beast of a smart speaker with a huge sound, then you may want to check out the latest Google Home Max prices instead - be warned, it's not cheap.

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The best Sky TV deals, packages and Sky Q offers in June 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 11:47 AM PDT

Every week we take a look at the latest Sky TV deals, packages and special offers to make sure that you're getting the very best prices when you decide to sign up! So if you're trying to decide which Sky TV offer is for you, what a Sky Q box is and if you can afford it or even if you should be getting one in the first place - you're in the right place!

As you scroll down the page, we'll discuss the latest Sky TV packages, offers and any special deals and walk you through the larger bundles with the optional extras like Sky Cinema and Sky Sports. We've kicked things off with a cracking Sky TV bundle below. We'll update this page with the latest offers whenever they arrive.

What new Sky TV customers need to know

As things stand today, it's never been simpler to explore your options as Sky has standardised the default package with a flat £20 a month cost, which you can then add additional paid extra add-ons like sky Box Sets, Sky Sports and Sky Cinema. We've gone into detail about each of the available add-ons below and they'll all be offered to you as you go through the checkout process over on Sky's website too.

Are there any Sky Q deals for new customers?

Yes! Actually, all of these Sky TV packages include a Sky Q box by default if you're signing up as a new customer. When choosing your Sky TV package from the list of offers below, you'll be presented with two Sky Q deals to choose from.

The default Sky Q box is the 1TB option with a one-off £20 setup cost. Opt for the 2TB Sky Q box though and that setup cost rises to a rather steep £199. That's pretty harsh to be honest, although the monthly prices don't change, so it is just the one-off cost to consider. 

Alternatively, you can get the Ultra HD 2TB Sky Q box for £75 instead if you add Sky Q Multiscreen to your bundle for £12 a month. We'd get your channels sorted first, then maybe scroll back up to the Sky Q offers' section once you have a better idea of the overall cost, which is handily updated throughout at the top of the screen.

Do I need a 2TB Sky Q box?

In addition to double the storage (that's up to 1000 hours in standard definition) of the standard Sky Q box, the 2TB Sky Q deal comes with a few extra benefits. Such as being able to record six shows at once instead of three, while watching a seventh. You also get the fancier Sky Q Touch remote control, an extra tablet allowance, and the all-important party piece - you can enjoy select channels in Ultra HD. Which is great if you've recently taken advantage of a cheap 4K TV deal.

The starter Sky TV package

Sky TV Add-ons

Sky TV deal add-ons are much easier to understand since the reshuffle. Better yet, prices seem to be lower across the board and simple to see for both new customers building a bundle, or existing customers wanting to beef up their current deal. 

Can I order Sky TV deals on the phone?

You sure can. If you'd prefer to talk to a person to walk you through each step then you can phone 0800 014 2334 to sign up for a Sky TV package. We recommend having a good read through the sections above about each add-on first, just so you can go in with a good idea of what's available and don't feel pressured when you make the call.

What Sky TV package is Game of Thrones on?

Game of Thrones season 8 will start on Sky Atlantic in April 2019. It's on every Sky TV package now as they all come with the Entertainment pack as a base package to build on.

What HD Channels do I get on Sky TV?

With all packages you get at least the standard free to air HD channels. To be honest you also get a fair few of these with standard Freeview HD. If you sign up for Sky Sports, there's no longer an extra fee to be paid to get them in HD as the channels now show in High Definition by default.

  • BBC One HD
  • BBC Two HD
  • BBC Four HD
  • BBC News HD
  • CBBC HD
  • CBeebies HD
  • ITV HD
  • 4 HD
  • 5 HD
  • NHK World HD
  • RT HD

For just an extra £5 a month you can get the far superior quality of High Definition. Once you do though, you'll get access to the following channels in HD:

  • Sky Atlantic HD
  • Sky 1 HD
  • Sky Witness HD (formerly Sky Living HD)
  • Sky Arts HD
  • Sky News HD
  • Sky Sports News HD
  • Fox HD
  • Comedy Central HD
  • Syfy HD
  • Dave HD
  • Food HD
  • MTV HD
  • ITV Encore
  • E HD
  • W HD
  • E4 HD
  • Film 4 HD
  • More 4 HD
  • ITV 2 HD
  • ITV 3 HD
  • ITV 4 HD
  • TCM HD
  • Animal Planet HD
  • History Channel HD
  • National Geographic HD
  • Nat Geo Wild HD
  • Discovery HD
  • Disney Channel HD
  • Disney Junior HD
  • Disney XD HD
  • Cartoon Network HD
  • Nickelodeon HD
  • Nick Jr. HD
  • Boomerang HD
  • Alibi HD
  • Crime and Investigation HD
  • Eden HD
  • Lifetime HD
  • Star Plus HD
  • TLC HD
  • Universal HD
  • Viceland HD
  • Sky Sports Mix HD
  • Eurosport 1 HD
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The best PS4 Pro prices, deals and bundles in June 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 11:46 AM PDT

So you're thinking about PS4 Pro deals or maybe a bundle? Well we can most certainly help you out there as we're always checking out the latest sales. Maybe you're upgrading from your older PS4 so you can dive into 4K gaming. Or maybe you've never had a PS4 and are thinking you may as well start with the best. All solid choices, especially if you're already set with a 4K TV, even better if it has HDR too.

There are some fantastic-looking games out now to really make a PS4 Pro shine; Red Dead Redemption 2, Spider-Man, God of War, Detroit: Become Human are all serious lookers and jaws are bound to drop further when The Last of Us Part 2 sneaks onto our 4K TVs later this year. And there's be even more to look forward too thanks to E3 2019 too.

You'll find all of the latest and best PS4 Pro prices from the big name stores in our comparison chart below. There's not too much difference in price between retailers at this time of year, but we're constantly on the lookout for the latest deals and bundles. Looking to buy in Australia? You'll want to take a look at our AU page.

If you'd prefer a standard PS4, then check out our PS4 bundles (USA) or PS4 deals (UK) pages. Don't forget to top up your subscription with one of our discounted PlayStation Plus deals too.

So keep this page bookmarked to stay informed of the latest PS4 Pro bundles when they arrive. If you're looking for more information on the PS4 Pro, take a look at our handy Q&A below the bundles.

PS4 Pro bundle deals (USA)

Worthwhile PS4 Pro bundles have been pretty much non-existent in the US for the last few months. The PS4 Pro on its own has seemingly sold out at the regular $399 price, meaning we've only seen units for sale via third-party sellers on sites like Amazon/Walmart for prices often at least $40 more than usual. This long after release, we're not cool with that you shouldn't be either. As a bare minimum, you want at least one game with the console for $399, ideally less in the next few months. The only decent PS4 Pro bundle today is the Read Dead Redemption 2 one we've just added below, don't expect stock to last long on this one though.  

PS4 Pro bundle deals (UK)

Need an extra controller on the cheap? Take a look at the best DualShock 4 deals. We also have a guide to the best PlayStation VR deals too.

Cheap PlayStation Plus deals

If you're buying a PS4 Pro, you'll probably need a cheap PlayStation Plus deal too. PlayStation Plus (aka PS Plus or PS+) allows you to play PS4 games online, along with access to the Instant Game Collection, a bunch of free games for PS4, PS3 and Vita each month. The default price for a year is £40. We've shopped around for you though and found a range of prices. So check out our guide of you want the best PlayStation Plus deals.

What is the PS4 Pro?

Essentially, the PS4 Pro is an upgrade of the PS4, rather than a 'next-gen' console. The keywords to take in from the PS4 Pro are 4K and HDR. The new machine will allow game developers to include 4K options in their games, so expect the like of Uncharted 4, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Days Gone, Horizon: Zero Dawn and more to look even better on a 4K TV.

HDR, or High Dynamic Range is the other buzzword to be excited about as the PS4 Pro will allow for extra detail to be seen on a range of games and also a wider range of colors not usually displayed by traditional HD TVs.

Will my old PS4 games work on PS4 Pro?

Absolutely. If you're planning on upgrading to a PS4 Pro from an older PS4, all of your games will still work. Not every title will be patched to take advantage of the new 4K/HDR capabilities, but the default upscaling (if you have a 4K TV) will more than likely see some improvement to the visuals and the improved console power may give the frame-rate a boost on some titles.

What else can I watch in 4K/HDR on PS4 Pro?

The PS4 Pro is compatible with 4K and HDR, and the content options for both are increasing all the time on services like YouTube and Netflix. Amazon Prime video is yet to be updated for 4K content though.

Does the PS4 Pro support 4K Blu-rays?

No. This was a surprise if we're honest, especially as both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X consoles do. It's a bit of a gamble for Sony, but at the same time, 4K Blu-rays are very expensive for now and many consumers look to digital services to provide their 4K movies and TV content instead.

Do I need a 4K TV to run a PS4 Pro?

No, the PS4 Pro will still work on a regular 1080p TV, you won't get the benefits of upscaling or HDR though. You may see a slim amount of extra detail, or frame-rate boost, but we wouldn't expect a massive leap.

If you are thinking of buying a 4K TV soon, then it's probably a good idea to splash out on the PS4 Pro instead of the regular or new PS4 Slim as it'll future proof you for a while. Be sure to look out for a TV that supports HDR too, in order to take full advantage of the PS4 Pro's capabilities.

Will PlayStation VR be better on the PS4 Pro?

Early reports say yes. The PlayStation VR frame-rate is better on PS4 Pro and the resolution gets a bit of a bump too. PlayStation VR will certainly work on the older PS4s, you don't need a PS4 Pro to get involved there.

Does the PS4 Pro have optical audio support?

Yes! The optical audio output has been removed from the PS4 Slim though, which is a massive shame. PS4 Pro owners though will still be able to use optical connections for their soundbars and sound systems.

What are the best games on PS4 Pro?

We've dived through our back catalogue of PS4 games that have received a PS4 Pro update patch to see which ones look the best and have a noticeable difference. Take a look at our extensive feature - The best PS4 Pro games.

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The best Now TV pass offers, boxes and voucher deal prices in June 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 11:44 AM PDT

Now TV pass offers are our speciality here at TechRadar as we're here to find you the cheapest Now TV Box or Now TV Stick deals on the net. We're all over the latest Now TV voucher prices too as we compare the latest deals directly from Now TV and retailers around the UK. If you're also after broadband, Now TV has some tempting Now TV and broadband deals.

On this page you'll find the latest prices on the newest hardware like the 4K-ready (for other apps at least) Now TV Smart Box 4K or the super cheap Now TV Stick - both of which now come with a voice-remote control. Or there's still some decent deals going on the older Now TV Smart Box which includes a Freeview tuner so you can watch live TV as well your Now TV subs.

We’ve also searched high and low for the best Now TV pass voucher deals for new and existing members. You don't need a Now TV Stick or box though as there are apps on loads of devices like smart TVs, tablets or your PS4/Xbox One.

So whether you’re looking to equip your TV with a Now TV device, or you’re just looking for a cheap way to get another few months of the service, read on for our best Now TV offers. Alternatively, have you considered a jam-packed Sky TV deal instead?

The latest Now TV pass offers

Fresh Now TV offers on passes are live now, marking an ideal opportunity to check out why people are joining the excellent Now TV subscription service in droves. Chances are, you already have a device with capable of running the Now TV app (tablets, gaming consoles, Smart TV etc), but if you don't, you can get a cheap Now TV Smart Box or Now TV Stick further down this page or directly from Now TV. Most of these offers are for new members only, but you can often find other discounts by picking up Now TV passes from other retailers instead. We've added those deals to the comparison charts further down this page. And just as we thought now that we're in the hottest shopping season of the year, there's a special sale on the Now TV website, we've included highlights directly below, or you can check out the full list over there.

now TV box 4K

Now TV Smart Box 4K prices

Now TV has just released a long awaited update for the Now TV Smart Box, bringing a range of 4K apps into your home. We're still quite baffled at how Now TV's own content is still limited to streaming in 720p (just about HD), but apparently that'll be updated later this year.

You can enjoy Netflix in 4K though, providing your paying for the top tier of that service. TV catch-up services like BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV player and so on are also available, although you're limited HD there as catch-up channels don't stream in 4K yet anywhere. 

Considering you can search for items via a new voice remote that's bundled in with the Smart TV box too, the prices are very reasonable. The Now TV 4K Smart Box with the remote costs just £45.99, or you can get it with a month-long pass for Sky Cinema, Sky Entertainment and Sky Kids. And a one-day Sky Sports pass too for just £49.99.

Now TV Stick deals

Now TV Stick deals

This is the cheapest hardware option for the Now TV family and excellent value at such a low price. Most purchase options from our price comparison chart now include a Now TV Entertainment or Cinema pass too to get you going. The Now TV Stick simply plugs into an HDMI slot on your TV and comes with a remote control that supports voice-commands and search too. So yes, very similar to the Amazon Fire TV Stick, but a fair bit cheaper. If you don't want it with any passes, it's currently cheapest direct from Now TV at just £14.99, although you can get it with passes there too if you want.

Now TV Smart Box deals

If you want to combine your Now TV box with a freeview tuner, then the Now TV Smart Box is for you. We were impressed when we tried out the box for ourselves. It’s a great all-rounder, and consolidates your existing boxes into one neat package. Check out the best prices for the Smart Box below.

Cheap Now TV pass deals

If you’ve already got a Now TV box, gaming console or another device that can stream the service (such as a Roku player or a Chromecast) then all you need is a Now TV pass to get subscribed to the various streaming packages offered on the service.

There are currently four passes available for Now TV; Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Kids and Sky Sports. These are available for subscription periods as short as 1 day (for Sky Sports), or as long as a month.

Ironically, the cheapest way of getting your hands on cheap passes is often to get them bundled in with a Now TV box, but you can also find cheap Now TV passes available. We’ve compiled a selection of the best deals around for each pass below.

Now TV entertainment pass deals

The Now TV entertainment pass gets you access to Sky Atlantic shows like Westworld, Tin Star, The Blacklist, Billions and more. The three-month pass is a popular option and is generally available for around £15. It's a good option for anyone looking for discounted Now TV passes, especially as the monthly price went up by £1 back in August last year, raising the price to £7.99 a month.

Now TV Sky Cinema pass (aka Sky Movies pass) prices

If you're more interested in film than television, then the Now TV Sky Cinema pass is the subscription for you. With this you'll get access to a huge quantity of movie releases, and a surprising number of them are relatively recent. We do sometimes see some seriously cheap Now TV offers for two-month entertainment passes in our comparison chart feed below. So be sure to have a quick look there too.

Now TV Sky Sports pass offers

Sky has recently rebranded a bunch of its Sky Sports channels. Gone are the numbers, instead we have names that give a better description of what they'll be showing most of the time.

There are now 10 channels, that's more than before, but you don't have to pay anything extra. The refreshed lineup includes Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football (for Football League, La Liga and more), Sky Sports F1, Sky Sports Racing, Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports News and Sky Sports Mix. Other sports are covered in the two variety channels, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Arena. Sky Sports Main Event will be the place for the biggest live events of the day. Naturally there are some shiny new logos.

At £33.99 a month, the Sky Sports pass is the most pricey of all the Now TV subscriptions. There are cheaper options though. You can get a day pass for £8.99 and a one week pass for £14.99 direct from the Now TV site. These temporary passes won't auto-renew either, so don't worry about rolling into a fresh purchase when they expire. You can also get some pass deals in the comparison chart below.

Now TV kids pass

At just £3.99 a month, the Kids pass is the cheapest of the Now TV subscriptions, and as such it takes some beating. As things stand, the cheapest way to get the subscription is to buy it from Now TV directly at the link below.

See this deal: at Now TV

  • TV stands: finding the best TV stand to suit your living room cinema needs

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The best BT Sport deals, offers and packages in June 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 11:35 AM PDT

Looking for a clear answer on the best way to bag a cheap BT Sport deal? If you're here, chances are you been asking yourself how much is BT Sport going to cost? Can I get BT Sport on Sky or Virgin Media instead? Can I watch the Champions League on BT Sport? You've asked and we're here to answer.

On this page we'll tell you about the best offers direct from BT (for new and existing customers) and also how to get a BT Sport package if you already have Sky TV or Virgin Media. With so many options available from each provider, we've simplified the listings as much as possible so you can weigh up the best option for you without the pushy up-selling you'd get in stores, shopping centre booths or on the phone. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a bit of Sky Sports, we've also extensively covered the latest Sky TV deals available.

What's on BT Sport?

The BT Sport Pack includes BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2, BT Sport 3 and BT Sport ESPN. Across these channels you'll find every Champions League match live, so no more asking the pub landlord to swap over to the match you actually want to watch and upsetting those Man United supporting Southerners. There's also a selection of Premier League matches every week.

BT Sport is also the only place to enjoy Ashes cricket next year as BT nabbed the exclusive rights to broadcast it next summer. Elsewhere on BT Sport you can enjoy the Rugby Aviva Premiership, Moto GP and much more. Sound good? Then let's check out the latest BT Sport offers.

How to get BT Sport deals direct from BT

BT Sport deals are available as an add-on to a BT TV package and also as an extra to BT broadband. Let's have have a look at all the options and how much they'll cost you each month. Prices direct from BT rather than going through third parties like Sky and Virgin Media are the cheapest options available.

BT Sport offers if you're not a BT customer yet

If you already get your TV or broadband from Sky or Virgin and your contract isn't up for a while, you can skip this section and scroll down to the heading 'How much is BT Sport on Sky?' or 'How to get BT Sport on Virgin Media.' 

I'm already an existing BT customer

If you already have BT broadband or a BT TV deal, good news. You can get BT Sport for less than anyone else on Sky or Virgin, maybe even for free. Take a look at the latest options for current BT customers below.

How much is BT Sport on Sky?

Rather than put up a wall between their customers, BT and Sky have reached an agreement allowing existing Sky customers access to BT Sport too. That means they'll have the most comprehensive sports coverage in the UK. Sky customers will have to set this up through BT though rather than Sky. 

The options are simple though and BT's website will walk you through the steps, We've included links below and we'll talk you through the various options and how much they cost too.

How to get BT Sport on Virgin Media

You don't have to go with BT broadband to get BT Sport. BT is keen to let its rivals pay them to let you in on the action too. New Virgin broadband customers can take advantage of Virgin's superfast fibre broadband and enjoy BT Sport.

There are a few Virgin broadband with BT Sport packages to choose from, sadly they don't include the cheapest Virgin deals. On the plus side you're getting the shiny HD versions of the BT Sports channels in all of them. There are three main deals to choose from, although as you're going through the transaction you might be offered extras or modest upgrades along the way.

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Will 5G solve signal issues at stadiums, festivals and venues?

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 11:00 AM PDT

Big events with thousands of people in attendance put a huge stress on mobile networks, meaning you’re often unable to message your friends to meet up, upload videos to social media, or livestream your favorite band playing their final encore.

That’s largely due to the concentration of people using spectrum in one location over a standard 4G (or perhaps even 2G or 3G) signal, which means the connectivity can crash out and become unusable for the majority of a crowd.

But with 5G just around the corner – it’s set to launch in the US and UK in the coming months – we may see a solution to the problem soon, with the next-gen mobile network offering faster speeds as well as further spectrum, allowing more people to be online at the same time.

Could 5G be the final piece of the puzzle to ensure you’re always connected even in a crowd of thousands? A lot of the big driving forces behind 5G believe so, but most of the focus has so far been on alternative (and headline-grabbing) uses of 5G, like virtual reality and super smart IoT (Internet of Things) devices.

Sports first

Research commissioned by software specialists Amdocs suggests that most people will first experience 5G connectivity at a major sporting event. That makes sense considering Vodafone plans to cover 19 cities by the end of 2019 with its 5G signal, while EE is limited to 16, so most of us won’t be able to get 5G in their hometown right away.

The Amdocs report also found that 63% of network operators plan to offer augmented reality or virtual reality experiences at sporting events using 5G tech – that doesn't exactly solve the problem of crowded mobile networks that limit your social media use.

Gary Miles, Chief Marketing Officer at Amdocs said: “Operators have identified these events as the springboard for rollout of a whole range of new interactive and immersive services. This will give consumers their first real taste of what 5G can deliver and allow operators to showcase the capabilities of their next-generation networks."

“Expect to see the first of these new services and applications rolled out in conjunction with the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and soccer tournaments in Europe, among other big events in the sports calendar. We will also see operators becoming integral to the growth of esports with 5G opening the door to future investment and revenue opportunities.”

Perhaps the first sign of that is FC Barcelona’s stadium – that’s the Nou Camp – which is set to be the first stadium in the world to get a dedicated 5G network. An exact release date for the technology in the stadium is yet to be unveiled though.

Rather than simply allowing you to use your phone in the big crowds, a lot of the focus from FC Barcelona has been around the new experiences 5G enables. For example, the new tech could allow for 360-degree video and real-time virtual reality experiences at the game itself. 

Image credit: EE

Festival fever

The same is true of festivals, which also have a high concentration of people in one area for short amounts of time. Attendees are sure to be using their devices lots, and it’s something the world’s major festivals are looking at improving.

The UK’s first 5G connected festival is set to be Glastonbury 2019 (that’s at the end of June), which is expected to have over 135,000 people attending before you take into account staff and security – most of which will also be using mobile networks.

It has been set up by EE (the UK’s largest phone network) which has always been a technology partner for the festival; and unlike Barcelona FC's plans, this is much more about offering top speeds on your average device rather than enabling virtual reality experiences.

In a field watching your favorite band play, it’s arguably less useful to have extra experiences like VR or AR, which is perhaps why EE wants to focus on improving mobile signal at Glastonbury.

As such, EE's marketing around the event has centered on how people at the festival will use an estimated 70 terabytes of data.

"Smartphones have become a festival must-have as we've seen each year with more and more data being consumed at Glastonbury Festival," said Pete Jeavons, Marketing and Communications Director at BT and EE.

"As the long-standing technology partner to this iconic event, we are committed to building a network powerful enough to cope with this huge demand.”

That huge demand is down to festival-goers downloading maps and timetables to navigate around Glastonbury’s 900-acre site, as well as uploading video to social media, messaging their friends or just looking up artists' stage times online throughout the entire weekend. 

Image credit: EE

No 5G device needed

So will you be able to get the benefits of 5G at this year’s Glastonbury? Yes – and you won’t even need to have a 5G device.

If you have one, that’s great and those on EE should be able to get far better connectivity throughout the entire festival. Those that don’t either of those things will still be able to make the most of the 5G technology as the Wi-Fi at the event will be also using the next-gen tech.

As connectivity improves, some believe the way we interact with our devices at large-scale events is set to change too. We won’t know exactly how attendees will change their behavior until the technology's readily available, but the possibilities are exciting.

It may mean more livestreaming while in a crowd, or it may just allow those attending these events to meet up with their friends more easily and access important information as and when they need it.

While 5G Wi-Fi will be available at Glastonbury, that’s not necessarily the case for other festivals and stadiums around the world. That means you may need a 5G device to make the most of the new connectivity tech, and those are set to be very expensive for the foreseeable future.

For example, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus costs $999 (£899, AU$1499) in the US, but the 5G variant of the phone is $1,299 (about £1,000, AU$1,900), so 5G devices aren;t exactly accessible to everyone yet. 

We aren’t likely to see the full change to 5G at live events for a few more years, but connectivity in crowds is only set to get better in the coming months and years with access to 5G Wi-Fi and general 5G signal improving regularly.

In the next five years, expect to be able to use your phone to a fuller extent at live events, and hopefully you’ll easily be able to message your friends and never get lost in the crowd again.

5G Uncovered, in association with Samsung, brings you everything you need to know about the next wave of connectivity - not just how fast it's going to be, but in just how many ways it's going to change your life. Our 5G Uncovered hub is carefully curated to show everything there is to know about the next generation of connection.   

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Tottenham vs Liverpool live stream: how to watch the Champions League final 2019 for free and from anywhere

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 10:55 AM PDT

If you're a Spurs or Liverpool fan - or if you just love the game of football - it's time to get yourself in front of a screen. That's what in excess of 350 million around the globe will be doing today, to watch the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. The teams got to Madrid the hard way, and now it's all about winning the big one. It's time to bring home the silverware and you can watch every minute of the match and build-up with a Tottenham vs Liverpoool live stream of the Champions League final from absolutely anywhere in the world.

Liverpool are back on the biggest stage for the second time in two years and are probably just about the favorites to take the UEFA Champions League trophy back to their corner of the UK.


The 2018 final saw a cruel 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid, following Mo Salah's early injury and that bicycle kick from Gareth Bale. But their league campaign has been so impressive this season and the remarkable comeback against Barcelona in the semi-final will make Jurgen Klopp's men believe that anything is possible.

Tottenham Hotspur have of course had their own semi-final miracle to help give them a boost, with Lucas Moura scoring a 95th minute winner in Amsterdam to overcome Ajax. This could be the very apex of the Pochettino project, and talismanic captain Harry Kane is expected back for this one, too.

It's almost impossible to predict the result of this year's Champions League final. But thankfully figuring out how to watch it is much easier. And the good news is that you can live stream Tottenham vs Liverpool absolutely free of charge in certain countries. Keep reading to find out how.

Live stream the Champions League final for free in the UK

How to live stream Tottenham vs Liverpool from outside your country

Further down this page, we have details on the Champions League final viewing options in the likes of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India. While the free BT Sport Champions League live stream is only accessible within the UK - if you're abroad for this one then you'll be told that you're not allowed to watch.

Annoying, but there's a very easy way to get around it. The trick is to download and install a VPN to change your IP address to one in the UK and then go to the BT Sport website or YouTube to watch. The same goes if your a resident of anywhere else and want to watch your domestic coverage from overseas.

Here's how to stream the Champions League final live from anywhere in the world with the world's best VPN in three very simple steps:

How to watch Tottenham vs Liverpool: live stream in US (for FREE)

Of course, you can also get around TNT's exclusivity by opting for an over-the-top streaming service that gives you access to a Champions League live stream without faffing with cable. Even better, all of the below options come with some kind of free trial...

- Discover our pick of all the US's best sports streaming sites

How to live stream Champions League football in Canada (for FREE)

How to live stream Tottenham vs Liverpool in the Champions League: Australia

How to watch Champions League football in New Zealand

How to live stream the UEFA Champions League football in India

Who will win the Champions League 2019 final? 

Today's final is an all-England affair, and on the basis of the two teams showing in the Premier League, Liverpool appear to have the edge. As well as finishing 26 points ahead of Tottenham, Jurgen Klopp’s side also won 2-1 away at Wembley and beat their London rivals with the same result in the return fixture at Anfield.

Tottenham have had a huge boost in the run up to the match with skipper Harry Kane confirming he his fit for selection having missed the tail end of the season with an ankle injury. The talismanic Spurs’ star striker is widely predicted to start on the bench, however.

While Naby Keita has been ruled out for the Reds, Liverpool have also had some good news on the fitness front, with influential Brazilian star Roberto Firmino having recovered from a groin problem. Liverpool may have a slight advantage by having the experience of appearing in last year’s final which they lost to Real Madrid. Will that failure, plus the fear of losing again weigh heavy on a group of players that have also just agonisingly missed out on the Premier League title this year?

Not according to the bookies. If you're looking to put your money where your mouth is, Betfair has installed the Reds as odds-on favorites to win.

What stadium is the Champions League Final 2019 being played at?

The showdown takes place at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium – the 67,829 capacity home of Atlético Madrid.

How many times have Spurs and Liverpool won the Champions League?

The match marks the first time Tottenham Hotspur have reached the European Cup or Champions League final. Liverpool have a somewhat more storied past in the competition, however. The Reds will be playing in their ninth final overall and their second in a row. They’ve won the jug-eared trophy on five occasions – in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1984 in its original European Cup form and once during the Champions League era in 2005.

Who is the highest scorer in the 2019 Champions League?

None of the players in Saturday’s game are likely to beat Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to the tournament top scorer award. The Argentine wizard leads the pack having hit the target 12 times, placing him 4 goals ahead of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.

Of those playing in the final, Spurs stars Lucas Moura and Harry Kane lead the way with 5, with teammate Son Heung-min on 4, the same number of goals scored by Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane - Liverpool’s joint top scorers in the tournament   

Who won the UEFA Champions League 2018?

Liverpool lost out to Real Madrid in last year’s final at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, with the Spanish side 3-1 victors.

Man-of-the match was Gareth Bale who capped off his performance with a stunning bicycle kick goal, but it was a night to forget for Liverpool keeper Loris Karius who gifted Madrid two goals following a couple of wince-inducing errors.  

How can I live stream the online action straight to my TV?

The ability to live stream all the football to your phone or tablet is undeniably useful - you don't have to miss a single goal, even if you're out of the house. But if you want to stream the football from the internet to your TV, then picking up a streaming box might be useful. Check out our guide to the best streaming media players, where the likes of Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire are all included. 

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Spotify tests 'Social Listening' so you can queue up songs with your friends

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 06:30 AM PDT

The latest new feature to be undergoing testing at Spotify would seem to be shared queues – tracks of upcoming tunes that you can listen to and edit together with friends.

Spotted by noted app expert Jane Manchum Wong, this "Social Listening" option builds on the shared playlists Spotify already has – but in this case you and a group of other users can chop and change a queue as it plays on a particular device.

Obvious uses for this include house parties and road trips, where you can introduce your friends to your favorite mumbling indie rock folk, high speed free-form jazz improvs, or whatever else you happen to be into.

Social Listening works through a code that shows up in the Spotify app – friends can scan this code on their own phones to get involved, or you can share it via the usual channels.

Spotify Social Listening test

Test screenshots (credit:  Jane Manchum Wong @wongmjane)

Spotify has yet to confirm the feature is being tested, and there's no guarantee that it'll ever see the light of day as a part of the official Spotify app. Right now it only seems to be open to Spotify employees.

App developers are of course testing new features all the time, it's just that we usually don't find out about these tests. We'll have to wait and see whether Social Listening gets the thumbs up from Spotify in the end.

It would certainly make sharing music in a communal environment a lot easier – assuming everyone was signed up for Spotify and not Apple Music or YouTube Music.

Last month we heard that Spotify is also testing a Stories feature for artists that borrows from the popular social sharing format in Snapchat and Instagram. The app developers have also been experimenting with podcast recommendations.

Via XDA Developers

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5G and film: how will the tech change how we consume movies?

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 06:00 AM PDT

Have you ever tried to stream a video on the bus? You know how it is – the latest Marvel movie trailer has just been posted by your friend on Facebook, and you don’t want to wait until you get home to see what all of the fuss is about. So you hit the link and…hope for the best.

If you’re lucky, the video will play without a problem over 4G, but if you’re unlucky, you could quickly see the action paused, as a circle of dots tells you that Spider-Man is currently buffering. And when it does play, you can’t really work out what's happening because the action has turned into a low-resolution mess of coloured blocks.

The problem with 4G is that sometimes there just isn’t enough bandwidth. If too many people are trying to connect within the same area, your download speeds are being shared with everyone else – which is why it can sometimes be so unreliable.

But luckily, the solution is just around the corner. Over the next couple of years 5G is going to arrive and transform our mobile video experiences.

For a start, watching video is going to become a lot more reliable, particularly in terms of download speeds. As 5G hype builds, this means you can expect to see lots of crazy claims about how you’ll be able to download full HD movies in just seconds. 

Though it will be significantly faster than 4G, 5G will probably never live up to those claims, simply because you will still be sharing the connection with everyone else in your local area.

But don’t worry, 5G is still expected to be around 20 times faster than 4G – and the benefits go beyond speed. 5G uses parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that will mean signals are better at penetrating buildings – so you can expect a more reliable connection when indoors. If we’re lucky, we may even be able to get a reliable signal when travelling through more remote areas on train journeys.

The other major boon is with regards to latency – this is the speed at which your device can exchange data with the internet. This will be most significant for gamers who need fast response times when playing online games like Fortnite, but it will also make watching video better too, as there will be less lag between hitting play on a video and it actually playing.

Second-order consequences

What’s perhaps more interesting though, is to consider the second-order consequences from this technological shift – not just how 5G will make downloads faster, but how 5G could change our behaviour.

For example, today if you’re planning to watch some Netflix or catch up with Amazon Prime Video, you have to plan ahead and download what you intend to watch on to your device ahead of time to get the best experience. 

With 5G, and near ubiquitous connectivity, streaming will become the default option and you’ll be able to trust that the bandwidth and connectivity will be available when you need it.

Sony's Xperia 10 range features 21:9 displays to allow for widescreen viewing. Image Credit: TechRadar

It also goes without saying, that 4K streaming over the air should also become routine, which will be just in time for 4K screens on phones to become commonplace.

Of course, 5G isn’t just going to change us – it’s going to change where we get film and TV from too, and upset the industry in the process. It’s going to accelerate the process of unbundling and 'cord-cutting', as the idea of watching TV will be further divorced from the need to have Sky or Virgin Media in the UK, or Comcast or Verizon in the US – why would we want to pay for bundles when apps will let us download what we want specifically, over 5G? 

Given the bandwidth 5G enables, it is likely that, just like how many millennials have never had a landline phone, future generations may not even bother getting a home broadband connection.

Portrait mode

5G could also have a really big impact on the types of content we consume. For example, with ubiquitous connectivity, will we be producing more video content ourselves than ever? 

Will Hollywood films find themselves challenged by our friends' live streams, or the hoards of ‘influencers’ creating YouTube videos?

The lines between games and film could also continue to blur. Following the success of Bandersnatch, the interactive episode of Netflix’s Black Mirror, there was a lot of excitement around the possibilities from branching narratives. 

But as Cnet argued last year, this could only be the start. In the 5G world, we won’t be watching video on dumb screens – our phones have other sensors built into them, like a camera and gyroscope. 

What if films could watch us watching them, and adapt the experience based on how we react? 5G’s increased bandwidth and connectivity could make this viable for big-budget film.

And perhaps strangest of all, the actual shape of the pictures we watch could change too. If we’re consuming more video content on our phones, then it stands to reason that more content will be produced with phones – and not just TVs – in mind. This could lead to more professional quality film designed for portrait mode.

In fact, there are already some exciting examples of this, and one of the most striking is Eva Stories. This is a film that is premised on the question of what would it be like if a girl had Instagram during the Holocaust? 

This might sound like a silly idea, but the project takes its subject seriously, and presents an entire narrative experience, educating viewers about the horrors of World War II, telling the story entirely through Instagram Stories that rely heavily on video.

We think of a lot of social media video today as being trivial or disposable – but it stands to reason that as we consume more content using 5G, filmmakers will start to take phone viewing more seriously.

5G Uncovered, in association with Samsung, brings you everything you need to know about the next wave of connectivity - not just how fast it's going to be, but in just how many ways it's going to change your life. Our 5G Uncovered hub is carefully curated to show everything there is to know about the next generation of connection.   

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The Derby 2019 live stream: how to watch today's horse racing from Epsom from anywhere

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 05:17 AM PDT

Derby Day has arrived. The 240th edition of the so-called world's wealthiest horse race has come once again to Epsom Downs. And whether you're punter who's had a flutter, or just an admirer of the powerful three-year-old animals in full flow, we've got all the information you need to get an Epsom Derby live stream.

This year's favourite for the main Derby race (at the time of writing according to Betfair) is Sir Dragonet, having destroyed his rivals at the Chester Vase by eight lengths.

The Derby started way back in 1780 and, like many other classic English races, is reserved for three year-old horses only. That means you only get the one shot to win this prestigious and hefty prize value cup.

The value isn't just the highest in terms of prize fund but it's the fact that the winner can then use that horse to breed future generations, at a huge charge to buyers. This is also the famous race where suffragette Emily Davison lost her life on the track in 1913 fighting for women's rights. 

This year sees 15 horses in contention. While favourite Sir Dragonet is heavy fave to win, his trainer, and one of the best flat trainers in the world – Aidan O'Brien – has eight other horses in this race: Broome, Anthony Van Dyck, Japan, Circus Maximus, Cape Of Good Hope and Sovereign.

Last season's Derby was won by Masar for Godolphin, a first winner for Sheikh Mohammed. This year's race is available for you to watch live and the best bit is it's totally free in the UK. Here's how to live stream the Derby 2019 from Epsom wherever you are.

How to watch the Epsom Derby 2019 for free: UK stream

This year the Epsom Derby will be aired on ITV live meaning it's free for anyone to watch via TV, the ITV app or a TV player online. Alternatively, if you're watching online, we'd heartily recommend TVPlayer.com, which offers a host of channels with a high quality stream

The main Investec Derby race is set to start at 4.30pm BST but coverage of the Epsom Derby starts at 1.30pm on Saturday.

Get an Epsom Derby live stream from outside your country

We know that there's a lot of money resting on The Derby. So if you're on holiday or away on business this weekend and try to watch your domestic coverage of the race, you're in for disappointment - that's because broadcasters geo-block their feeds from being watched by international audiences.

But there's a rather straightforward way around this problem. You can use a Virtual Private Network - or VPN - to change the IP address of your laptop, phone or tablet to one in your home country and then watch as if you were back there. We've outlined the three easy steps you need to use to take advantage of this method...

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Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens live stream: how to watch Premiership Rugby final 2019 from anywhere

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 04:25 AM PDT

The time has arrived for the Premiership Rugby final 2019 which sees Exeter Chiefs take on the mighty Saracens in a final that follows a season where both teams have dominated the league. It's domestic rugby union's biggest day on the calendar and you can live stream Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens from wherever you are in the world.

This 22-game season has ended with the Saracens and Exeter Chiefs way ahead of the other teams which means we're in for a very strong final game of the Gallagher Premiership. 

The Saracens are chasing the double for a European and domestic win after already taking the European Champions Cup earlier in the year. The Exeter Chiefs will contest a fourth successive Premiership final, adding a second title to the one they won two years ago. 

Saracens beat the Exeter Chiefs in a final a year ago as well as in 2016. The most recent victory saw Saracens take a resounding win with a score of 27-10.

Exeter Chiefs reportedly has a full squad as does Saracens after club captain Brad Barritt passed a recent fitness test clearing him for the field.

To watch all the Premiership final action read on to find out how you can enjoy the final where you are, wherever that may be. Live stream Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens in the Premiership Rugby final with our guide.

How to watch the Premiership Rugby final in the UK

This year the final will be available on BT Sport 1, meaning it's only out there for those who are paying for a subscription. This also means it's available via the TV channel and the app, allowing you to watch on devices like tablets, smartphones, Apple TV, consoles and smart TVs too.

Don't worry if you're away during the game and discover that the streaming is geo-blocked, as you can still watch using a handy VPN. It's really straightforward to do so in three very easy steps:

  • Want to watch the Spanish Grand Prix? See how to get an F1 live stream

Using the best VPN is obviously only OK if you don't breach the Ts&Cs of your country's broadcaster. But it's worth noting that it isn't just open to UK based rugby fans. If you're somewhere else, like you happen to be abroad this weekend, and still want to catch your domestic coverage of the big Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens final, then the same process applies to you.

And it's worth knowing that Virtual Private Networks aren't only useful for watching sport while overseas. They've become a really popular way to stay safe and anonymous when online, as well as for exploring the catalogues of streaming services like Netflix.

In the US, Canada or Down Under and want to catch the game? We have some key information for you, too.

How to watch Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens: US stream

The Premiership Rugby final will be streamed online via NBC Sports Gold which you can watch online at the NBC Sports Gold page here. You will need to have access to that via either NBC, NBCSN or NBC Sports Gold. Either way, you'll need your cable details handy.

Not got cable? There are plenty of over-the-top TV streaming services you can use instead - loads of which come with a completely free trial. A couple of great examples are Sling or Fubo.

Out of the US today? Then grab a VPN, follow the instructions above and you'll be watching the rugby in no time.

How to watch the Premiership Rugby final: Canada stream

The Premiership Rugby final will be streamed online via the growing sports streaming site DAZN. DAZN has become the go-to service for loads of events in Canada including boxing, soccer and more - in fact, the Joshua vs Ruiz Jr fight is on there today.

Signing up to DAZN costs $20 per month or $99.99 for an entire year. But the great thing is that you can also give it a whirl with a 30-day money back guarantee - perfect if you fancy Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens but don't want to pay for the privilege.

How to watch the Premiership Rugby final: Australia stream

For Australia the final will be streamed online via Rugby Pass which you can watch online at the Rugby Pass page here. Although getting an Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens live stream involves either a really long night or super early morning.

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Best apps for small business in 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 04:23 AM PDT

Small business owners are no strangers to operating on a shoestring. Any small changes you can make in terms of efficiency may transform into a huge advantage over your competitors.

While there is no shortage of comprehensive business solutions and services online offering all manner of diverse features, these are often overkill for managing small companies.

In this guide, we've focused on five of the most useful applications for SMBs (small to medium businesses). All of these either offer a free tier or represent excellent value for money. Further premium features are often available as your business grows.

When considering new apps, take some time to reflect on current business practises. For instance, if you currently use spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel to create expense reports, consider employing Expensify instead. This automates the process for you by integrating with popular travel apps like Uber.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

Image credit: Kashoo

Kashoo has been kicking around since 2008 and is designed to be an ideal accounting solution for freelancers, entrepreneurs and other small business owners. The platform supports easy creation of invoices, auditing, taxation and more.

The multi-currency invoice feature is particularly praiseworthy, allowing you to issue invoices in any number of currencies. Current exchange rates are downloaded automatically. Kashoo supports connection to over 5,000 bank data feeds out of the box.

Users can accept credit card payments via Kashoo's own payment gateway. Square, Stripe and BluePay are also supported. Subscribers can pay $19.95 (£15.20)  per month or $199 (£151.28) annually. This works out at $16.65 (£12.66) per month. There is also a 14-day free trial and a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.

The main dashboard displays all relevant business data. Kashoo has also received online praise for offering unlimited support via phone, email and chat. 

The mobile app, which sadly is only available for iOS, offers similar features such as invoice creation. Users can also track expenses by taking and uploading photos of receipts.

Kashoo is constantly updated which makes for a modern platform but the UI has received some online criticism for being rather complex. The platform also doesn't support hourly based billing, forcing users to create a bespoke invoice each time. 

Image credit: Expensify

Expensify is the creation of developer David Barrett, who in his own words wished to create "expense reports that don't suck!" One of the ways that Expensify does this is by integrating services like Uber and HotelTonight to record expenses on the fly. Such expenditures can then be consolidated with others, allowing managers to review trips as a whole and work out where costs can be cut.

Expensify offers a generous free tier which supports up to 5 free smart scans per month along with a free mobile app and unlimited storage for receipts. The 'Collect' tier costs just £4 ($5) per month per active user and allows for unlimited smart scans, basic expenses approval, as well as integration with QuickBooks and Xero.

The 'Control' tier costs £7 ($9) per active user and includes all the features offered in the 'Team' package, as well as advanced policy enforcement, corporate card reconciliation and integration with more powerful accounting software such as Sage. There is a free trial for premium features to allow you to decide if Expensify is right for your company.

The platform is popular with small business owners due to its competitive pricing, but it takes time to master as there's little online documentation. Some users have also complained that chat support takes some time to respond.

Image credit: Slack

Slack (Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge) is a handy cloud-based tool that keeps all messaging and files in one place. This application is available for all mobile devices and can also be accessed via the web page itself.

Slack was originally brought to life to be used as an online tool for the game Glitch, which is now defunct. It was officially launched in 2013 as a way of helping people collaborate together online.

The Slack channel system enables businesses to divide up work based upon teams, clients, or in whatever way they need. Employees can join and leave the chats as they see fit so that they do not have to be subjected to in-depth conversations that are not relevant to them. It also has a handy video feature where you can speak to members of your team face to face no matter where they happen to be.

The Slack directory integrates with over 1000 apps which include Dropbox and Google Drive. You can drag and drop files, images and videos directly into Slack if needs be. Screen sharing is also another handy feature incorporated into the app.

Slack has three tiers, with the first tier being free, but that can seem to be quite limited depending on the size of your team. The Standard tier, billed at $8 (£6.08) per month has more features available such as 10GB storage for each team member and priority support. The Plus tier, billed at $12.50 (£9.50) per month, comes with 20GB of storage and has 24/7 customer support that guarantees a four hour response time.

It has received some criticism online for not being user-friendly and there's a steep learning curve.

Image credit: Microsoft

There are many different office software platforms, but despite fierce competition on price and features, Microsoft's Office 365 remains the leading suite and must-buy for small business.

You may remember the days when Microsoft Office was something you bought as a software package and installed on your PC. While that still remains possible, the most useful form is the web app version of Office 365, as that means everything runs from the cloud and is saved in the cloud, and you can also use you mobile devices to login and use it. As it's web-based, this means you can also use it on Mac as well as on PC.

Office 365 includes the 3 big office software apps you're going to need: Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. OneDrive is also available for online backups as part of the part and worth using, even if you already use another cloud provider such as Google Drive or Drop Box - keeping your data safe is key and there's no harm in having multiple backup options.

Then there are the other software applications included in Office 365, such as Outlook (online version), and for PC use only there are also Publisher and Access. Skype is also bundled in, though you can download and use this as a standalone product anyway.

As mentioned previously, there are alternatives to Microsoft Office, but the simple fact is that they are not as good. Features tend to be far more limited, and there can be problems converting core office files to alternative formats, which you absolutely do not need the stress of dealing with when running your own business.

There are a couple of different editions you can buy. If you only need a package for yourself, a personal edition will cost $6.99 (£5.99) per month, or discounted to $69.99 (£59.99) if you pay for a yearly subscription. You can also buy a package for up to 6 users and therefore cover your office staff, and that is priced at $9.99 (£7.99) per month, or discounted to $99.99 (£79.99) if paid for annually.

Image credit: QuickBooks

Intuit QuickBooks was originally founded as a software package geared towards individual financial management. However, after seeing how successful this was, the company decided to offer a solution for small to medium-sized businesses.

QuickBooks can be downloaded onto each computer within your firm but it is also available as a cloud-based solution. Businesses can use it to manage and pay bills as well as to accept payments, along with being a useful resource for payroll.

The 'Simple Start' package ($20 or £15.20 per month) allows users to track income and expenses, capture and organize receipts as well as run basic reports. The next tier, 'Essentials' ($35 or £26.61 per month), includes all of that plus the ability to manage bills and have multiple users.

QuickBooks has also included a payment tier suitable for the self-employed user that is $20 (£15.20) per month and incorporates all that the basic tier has to offer along with the ability to track mileage. A free 30-day trial is offered so that you get plenty of time to decide if this is the app for you.

The app uses Apple Pay and Paypal for easy payments and invoicing. This is definitely a resource suited for smaller businesses as it does not have very detailed reporting and most company's find that they outgrow it.

It has also been criticized online for not being user-friendly, and it takes a bit of getting used to.

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Why does the new iPod touch have a headphone jack?

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 04:00 AM PDT

Apple recently took the tech world by surprise with the announcement of a brand new iPod touch – but even more surprising was the revelation that the updated music player features a 3.5mm headphone jack. 

Why was this so surprising? Well, Apple stopped including headphone jacks on its smartphones a long time ago in favor of its own multi-purpose Lightning port, with the last jack-friendly models, the iPhone 6S and iPhone SE, being discontinued in 2018. 

Despite uproar from consumers at the time, Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller said the firm had been motivated by "courage" to get rid of the headphone jack.

Schiller explained at the 2016 unveiling of the iPhone 7 : "Some people have asked us why we would remove the analogue headphone jack. It's been with us a really long time and it comes down to one word: courage. Our team has tremendous courage."

We speculated at the time that the removal of the headphone jack likely freed up space for extra technologies such as the A10 Fusion processor – the same processor used in the new iPod touch (7th generation).

More recently the lack of a headphone jack, on newer iPhone models like the iPhone XS and iPhone XR, has potentially contributed to the rise of wireless headphones, including Apple’s own AirPods (2019)

We asked Apple for comment but the brand declined. So, having spoken to experts and analysts across the industry, we’ve come up with a few reasons for Apple sticking to the jack in the new iPod touch. 

Image credit: TechRadar

Apple wants to appeal to audiophiles

Audiophiles have a reputation for eschewing any headphones without a wire, and Apple’s inclusion of the headphone jack on the iPod touch could be part of a wider plan to appeal to music lovers. 

After all, the new iPod touch supports Hi-Res Audio codecs like FLAC and Apple Lossless, which are capable of reproducing the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better-than-CD quality music sources, a sound that closely replicates the quality that the musicians and engineers were working with in the studio at the time of recording.

Joe Cox, Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi? Thinks that the inclusion of the 3.5mm headphone jack in the new iPod touch could be very appealing to audiophiles, partly because wired headphones tend to sound better than their wireless counterparts.

He explains: “Bluetooth would traditionally compress your music files to transmit them wirelessly, reducing the audio quality before it has even reached your headphones.”

While advances in Bluetooth technology, such as aptX HD means that this no longer needs to be the case, Cox explains that, “with all the parts of the audio chain needing to be compatible, and with more processing happening generally, wired headphones do tend to still deliver better sound”.

“That said, you may need to be listening to CD-quality or better audio, such as via Tidal Masters or Deezer HiFi, and with good headphones, to hear the difference,” he adds. 

So, by keeping the headphone jack, Apple could tempt those who would normally opt for a Hi-Res portable music player like the Onkyo  DP-X1A Digital Audio Player to try out an iPod touch. 

Most audiophile headphones like the Focal Stellias (pictured) only have wired connections (Image credit: TechRadar)

But what about headphones that plug into the Lightning port? Apple sells such versions of its classic EarPods, so why wouldn’t they appeal to audiophiles?

According to Cox, these headphones could even provide higher quality audio than traditional models with a 3.5mm jack – but they just aren’t common enough to have truly taken off in the audiophile world.

“The trusty 3.5mm headphone jack takes an analogue signal, which means your digital music has to be turned into analogue by a DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) inside your phone or portable music player.”

“Lightning can feed out analogue or digital audio, with the potential for that digital-to-analogue conversion to be done by a dongle, your headphones or a dedicated DAC. Ultimately, this could mean better sound quality.”

Even so, the likelihood is that most audiophiles will have a pair of 3.5mm headphones at home already. Cox acknowledges as such:“it’s more than a little confusing for consumers, as not every device or dongle will work with every phone or music player.” 

So, by including the 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple may well appeal to audiophiles who prefer a wired connection, and don’t already have USB-C compatible headphones. Not only that, but the headphone jack will likely appeal to more casual music listeners as well:

“I think we're still at the stage where not having a 3.5mm headphone jack is just a bit annoying” says Cox. “Not everyone has wireless headphones and even if they do, there are times when you want a wired connection - maybe you have older, more expensive wired headphones or your phone or Bluetooth headphones could be low on battery – and dongles are annoying.” 

Image credit: Apple

Apple wants to save money on machinery

There’s one rather more obvious reason for Apple to keep the headphone jack in the iPod touch – to save money.

Design-wise, the new iPod touch looks nearly identical to its predecessor – meaning Apple can use the same machinery it used when making the previous iPod touch model.

According to the specifications available on the Apple website, the new iPod touch sports exactly the same dimensions as the older 6th generation model; it’s the same height, width, depth, and weight, sports a 4-inch display, and crucially, boasts a 3.5mm headphone jack –  just like its older sibling.

Building new factory machines costs money, and if Apple is looking to lower costs, it makes sense that it would stick to a tried and tested design – and it wouldn’t be the first time that Apple has employed this tactic.

Wayne Lam, Director and Principal Analyst of Technology, Media, and Telecoms at IHS Markit explained:  “This is a similar tactic [to what] Apple used for the new iPad mini: basically updating the platform with more recent application processors since that product has been on the market longer than the life of the key components. “

“Having said that, we haven’t evaluated the cost differences but it would be unlikely that Apple is losing money by replacing old parts with new-ish ones.”

Saving on manufacturing costs could be a compelling reason for the tech giant to keep the headphone jack - and sticking with older designs certainly gives Apple that opportunity.

Image credit: Apple

The iPod touch could be great for kids

Apple says that the new iPod touch provides "fun and productive AR experiences across gaming, education and web browsing", with experiences made even more immersive with the "new capabilities of shared AR, persistent AR, which is tied to a specific location, and image detection", which makes it possible for the new iPod touch to "magically bring to life 3D objects like toys and sculptures."

The emphasis on education suggests that the new iPod touch is meant to be kid-friendly. After all, for parents weighing up the benefits of introducing their kids to the digital world to the potential risks, the iPod touch could represent an attractive middle ground between regular ‘dumb’ phones and a fully connected iPhone. 

Without the capacity for mobile data, parents don’t have to worry about kids downloading games over a mobile network and gobbling up expensive data plans with a few swipes, and limiting Wi-Fi access is much easier.

The new iPod’s small size also makes it ideal for watching downloaded content on the go, while support for FaceTime means kids can keep in touch with family members and friends over a Wi-Fi network – for parents who want to keep young minds entertained without giving their children a smartphone, the iPod touch could be an ideal solution.

The inclusion of a headphone jack makes the iPod touch even more appealing to parents, who don’t want to spend money on Lightning headphones, which are often more expensive than their 3.5mm counterparts, or worry about their children losing true wireless models

Plus, wireless headphones can be tricky to pair, even for adults. Keeping the headphone jack makes the iPod touch as simple to use as possible, and potentially ideal for younger users.

Apple Arcade (Image credit: Apple)

Why would Apple want to appeal to kids with this latest iPod touch? Aside from wanting to compete with kid-friendly devices like the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition, the brand’s motivation would give access to a new tranche of subscribers to its upcoming game streaming platform, Apple Arcade.

In fact, Apple’s press release for the new portable music player hardly mentioned music at all, instead focussing on the gaming capabilities of the 7th generation iPod touch.

The inclusion of Apple's A10 Fusion chip means that the new iPod touch is optimized for gaming, including what Apple calls, "immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences" – experiences that are likely to come as part of Apple Arcade.

Apple says that the Arcade service will come with "over 100 new and exclusive games with no ads or additional purchases, and the ability to download games for offline play" – and it seems that the company is setting up the new iPod touch as a (relatively inexpensive) way to get access to it.

So, by making the iPod touch accessible for children with the inclusion of a headphone jack, Apple may be hoping to get more tiny hands on its tech – potentially resulting in more parents reaching into their wallets to subscribe to Apple Arcade as children want access to quality titles.

Image credit: Apple

Apple’s changed its mind about Lightning… well, maybe

The least likely reason for Apple keeping the headphone jack is that the company listened to feedback from customers who loathe the now ubiquitous Lightning port and has decided to bring back the jack – starting with the iPod touch. 

While extremely unlikely, it could be a popular move; according to a 2017 survey by Yahoo Finance, 71% of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus users wished Apple would bring the headphone jack back to its range of smartphones. 

Since then, we’ve seen the iPhone 8, the iPhone XS, and the iPhone XR – all of which feature a Lightning port, but no option to plug in 3.5mm headphones..

And, with no indication that Apple will be reintroducing the headphone jack to its iPhones and iPads, we wouldn’t count on the jack making a return to any other Apple devices. 

After all, we’ve seen how Apple tends to stick to its rigid aesthetic in the upgraded Apple AirPods (2019), which didn’t change in terms of design, despite criticism of their long, protruding stems, and inflexible earbuds. 

It’s far more likely that Apple’s decision to keep the headphone jack in the new iPod touch was down to a desire to keep manufacturing costs down, while also appealing to kids who are unlikely to get on with wireless headphone models – after all, children will probably make up a large number of Apple Arcade users when it launches, and providing them with an accessible device like the iPod touch could be a good way of ensuring plenty of subscribers from the outset. 

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Plusnet's £60 cashback offer makes it the best value fibre broadband deal around

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 03:36 AM PDT

To land yourself a cheap fibre broadband deal, usually you'll need to look around some of the lesser-known ISPs or wait around for one of those perfect sale periods, the Black Fridays and Amazon Prime Days of the world.

But for the next week, Plusnet is giving you the opportunity to get fibre speeds from a well-known internet provider at an affordable price tag. The offer starts at £23.99 a month and while that is already a great price, it gets better. 

Thanks to a £60 cashback incentive Plusnet is throwing in, you're only effectively paying £20.65 a month. That makes this the cheapest fibre broadband package from a well-known broadband provider around right now

You can see this deal in full or take a look through our guide to the best broadband deals for everything else on the market.

This brilliant fibre broadband Plusnet deal:

Today's other best broadband deals

Want another affordable name in fibre without messing with cashback? Vodafone offers fast fibre speeds from as little as £22 per month. Or for the best value for money, BT could be worth your time. Offering not just fibre broadband but also a £110 pre-paid Mastercard, BT has gone big with incentives. 

Not bothered about fibre speeds? Plusnet also has a ADSL package for just £17 a month, an incredibly cheap overall price. Or even cheaper, the lesser-known Onestream currently comes in at £14.99, an unbeatable price on broadband.

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The best Nintendo 3DS prices and deals in June 2019

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 02:49 AM PDT

If you're looking for the best Nintendo 3DS prices or New 2DS XL deals, you've come to the right place. This is a fantastic time to get a cheap 3DS as retailers continue to unleash discounts as gamers snatch up the Nintendo Switch deals too. We check the prices from all reliable online retailers every few hours to make sure the prices are up to date!

Nintendo has long been boss of the handheld market, but the fact it continues to be so successful in a market now dominated by smartphones is impressive and we're bound to see it rock the handheld scene with some seasonal deals too. The 3DS software lineup features some of the best first-party Nintendo titles ever and you can always check out our pick of the best Nintendo 3DS games.

Nintendo's latest handheld, the 'New 2DS XL', is a welcome no nonsense handheld. On this page we're displaying the best 2DS XL, 2DS and new 3DS XL deals around. Older models are very hard to get a hold of nowadays and prices have shot up disproportionately.

A note on chargers

For reasons known only to Nintendo, most 3DS consoles do not come with a mains charger. So if you're in the market for 3DS and don't already have a compatible charger (for an older model maybe?) then you'll need to buy a new one. This is especially important if you're buying a 3DS as a Christmas gift. 

On the plus side the New 2DS XL and older slate-styled 2DS do come with a charger. We've included some handy links to some 3DS charger deals below (don't forget to check it's compatible with your type of 3DS).

The best Nintendo New 2DS XL deals

This is the newest member of Nintendo's Nintendo's wildly popular handheld. Unlike the original 2DS' wedge-like design, the clamshell form returns, which should be much more appealing to older gamers. The 3D tech has been dropped, but you're getting the fantastic XL screen along with the upgraded tech of the 'New' 3DS models. This is considerably cheaper than the New 3DS XL too.

Cheapest 3DS deals

The best Nintendo New 3DS XL deals...

If the standard New 3DS is a bit small for you, then take a look at the New 3DS XL which is perfect for gamers with larger hands or anyone that fancies a larger screen. Look out for some special edition New 3DS XL models listed below this comparison chart too.

2ds deals

The best Nintendo 2DS deals...

If the 3D aspect and the clamshell look isn't for you you can get a Nintendo 2DS for cheaper. The 2DS is a great way of entering Nintendo's handheld family without spending much money, but we're really talking to kids and parents here. Parents of clumsy children have praised the flat design that removes the need for those pesky breakable hinges of the original models.

It's that excellent lineup of games that makes it even easier to recommend the 2DS. With a generation of kids familiarising themselves with quick and easy games like Angry Birds, it's important for Nintendo to show them how much better gaming can be. The 2DS is a hell of a lot sturdier than a smartphone or tablet too.

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Google has a mysterious new "media device" on the way

Posted: 01 Jun 2019 02:30 AM PDT

Google has an as-yet-unidentified "media device" on the way, according to a filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US – but what exactly it is or what it'll do remains something of a mystery.

What we do know is it's been given the model number H2B, and as Droid Life points out, that suggests it's going to be another entry in the Google Home (or perhaps Nest Hub) speaker series.

According to a diagram showing the "bottom side", it has a thin, pill-shaped profile. There is some speculation that we could be looking at a portable speaker with Google Assistant on board, though for now there are no real clues to go off.

The FCC filing also confirms the device has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, plus a rechargeable 3.8V lithium ion battery – lending credence to the idea that it's a speaker you can use away from a power source.

Assistant for the people

Google is of course keen to get its Google Assistant software into as many devices as possible. Most recently we saw the larger Nest Hub Max announced, though the smart display has yet to go on sale.

Amazon isn't slowing down with the production of Alexa-enabled devices either – this week the Echo Show 5 appeared on the scene, giving the Nest Hub and the Nest Hub Max more competition.

The as-yet-unannounced media device coming down the line from Google sounds like it's going to give buyers yet another option for a smart assistant device – perhaps one they can take everywhere with them.

With no Google media events on the horizon, it's possible that the hardware is going to be announced without much of a fanfare, but as yet there's no indication of when an unveiling might happen.

Via Pocket-lint

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